Nucleum - Board Game Review - Alternate Brass

[@SigiScsi]

Thanks for pointing out there are green & orange districts, I didn't even notice...

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah colour blindness is a problem here.

[@bayushisezaru]

I love both Brass and Barrage, so this was high in my hype list going to Essen. I had a demo and then bought a copy immediately. Already played three times (with 3 and 4 players), and it definitely lived up to the hype. It’s long and meaty, but the last (three players) game lasted only two hours: once everyone knows what he’s doing, it becomes surprisingly smooth and almost quick coming to the end. By the way, I got almost at the top of the achievement track in the last game. I think your criticisms are fair, anyway. But this is the type of game my group and me really like, so for me they’re not a big deal. Is it better than it’s “parents” Brass & Barrage for us? It’s too early to say, but I’d say NO. Probably for one of the reasons you liked it better: it’s more forgiving! We like tighter and mean games! 😂 Keep up the great content! I love your unbiased reviews, and your dissenting opinions!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha good read thanks!

[@joaoantunes6858]

We would be good friends. Agree with everything you said!

[@shunsokaro3210]

What about 2 players ? Do you have a preference between these 3 Games ( Brass, Barrage and Nucleum) ? Thanks by advance 😊

[@joaoantunes6858]

@@shunsokaro3210 None. But if I had to pick one. Maybe Brass

[@Endeva09]

@@shunsokaro3210Brass Birmingham plays great at 2, but is better with 3, Lancashire better at 2. Barrage works best at 4. Nucleum best at 4.

[@shatnershairpiece]

I put this in my order to be shipped after Kutna hora comes in. I grabbed it before it sold out (gone within half hour of stock coming in) but still not sure about it. Now I am. The long set up, table hog, not good at 2, limited replay ability will probably get me to cancel this order. Thanks for saving me money. I liked brass but my wife didn’t so I sold it. She likely is not going to care for nucleum either. I also got LEAF on this order, with expansion. We also picked up a barely used lands of galzyr for $40 US which was a deal and we are enjoying it.

[@renato123wenzel]

Have bought the game - disagree with almost everything no 2P problem, setup just flip some cards and put some tiles, replayability is not “power” then Brass. Brass is a classic but after years I have no more interest in playing.Also this you can explain in 15 minutes (the complexity come from options).

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Fifteen minutes, good luck with that. 😂

[@thereelaristotle]

Luke you're just stopping me from buying games consistently. A true sign that you're doing a top notch job. Thanks! Probably for the best, more time for Ark Nova.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Heehee yes, more Ark Nova!

[@c0smiq]

Not until you tried it for yourself. Buy more games.. .buy moooooore!

[@daveculling5467]

He’s wrong on this one! It’s a belter!

[@jankogo]

Love your editing. Was seriously thinking of "getting out of the elevator". 😂

[@SaschaW82]

Lets be honest here: I just saw Nukleum back in the BBG Hotness, thx to the upcoming expansion and decided to have a look at some reviews. When I saw theres a Luke Hector Review, I was like: "Well, thats all I'm gonna need!" Thx alot for your efforts!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Thank you!

[@tomogorman3947]

My main takeaway. It’s hard to say Railway without sounding like Jonathan Ross

[@Farbulous007]

I'm one of those people that thinks barrage is one of the best board games of all time. Yes, there are some aspects of take that, but I would describe the game more in terms of tightness then I would in terms of meanness. Although I initially didn't see the similarities, I think the fact that players are rushing for certain spots on the board in order to complete their networks and energize buildings is where the comparison lies. Barrage is very much about strategic placement on the map, and Nucleum has exactly the same dynamic

[@joannabarry5236]

I found you on facebook and not gunna lie, some of your posts annoy me. But i wanted to hear about this game and saw your video, and i really liked it. I like that even though you are clearly sponsored you give honest reviews. Glad i gave you another chance 😂

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Can't tell the truth without annoying some people 🤣

[@monomundo]

Thank you Luke. I played Nucleum a week ago and even though I liked it, I decided not to add it to my (bloated) collection. Mostly for the reasons you have stated, and incidentally for my stronger preference for the tightness and meanness of Brass.

[@reed4764]

Brass is my #1 game of all time so definitely would disagree with a lot of the arguments you made against it but it certainly is refreshing to see a reviewer give straight up negative opinions about a game without feeling the need to mitigate their disappointments.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Mitigation isn't useful consumer advice, 😁

[@chuckm1961]

I am subscribed to about 30 board game review channels, and they all (at times) give straight up negative opinions without mitigating their disappointments,

[@88slow]

This is a long post 😅. Hi Luke. I don't really trust reviewers and hence always watch yours for honest but justified opinions. Just taught to preface that before my next words 😀 like you i dislike Brass and Barrage. When i first played them I loved it and brought but somehow next plays i didnt (so sold). The reason? They weren't fun playing (to me). I'm not a person who plays a game multiple times so don't go deep into strategy. Anyways bought Nucluem just due to like you said brass meets barrage and decent reviews and usually i have no idea how the game actually plays so when i learnt and taught it this week, we when in blind... I love Nucluem! My mate also did and we played it again the next day. Anyways i appreciate your comments on it (totally agree on your pros) and would like kindof put a different spin on your cons (acknowledge its more evaluation which is fair). Not saying you wrong, it's just my own thinking after playing lots of games too: 1. Components: agreed that it doesnt get brownie points. I'm comtempt with it as dont see how can one do it better for the price unless this was a Larceda size, ian art and priced games (double the price). This is also not a Kickstarter game where people will go nuts over plastic power plant standees and pay more (then one might argue that would be overkill and why one would pay more). They didn't need to give us standees as could have been a tile with a square outline so it's nice. Agree with colour blind. The map art could look better but everything is quite clear and large. So yeh not great but for what it is and price point could be worst. 2. Size - It's a euro game and it's design amd gameplay dictates the size required. But i agree some boards like where the milestone are can be a tad smaller. Tile are decent size to see icons (though i do think they too small still) and hence it influences the size of everything else. Imagine if they made the tiles the same size as brass, even worse. The game needs a map, we need player boards. Now the technology, yes they didn’t need to give us a flimsy slot board but the flip side is if they gave us cards to put markers on then others might complain (eg. Maracaibo you can knock the board). I just keep them in their experiment boards and mark them but atleast its the thought that counts for thematic purposes maybe. Also on my dining table in a 4 player game i actually put the board across the width of the table (rotate) theres space for each player and kindof makes the board easier to sed for all. Maybe it might work in your table? 3. Setup - this actually links to components. My friend who also loves Ark Nova (heaps different types of cards) like you complains that games and nucluem has too many components and got to sort when setting up (different coloured contracts, etc). I realised he preferred large games with lots of cards but less wooden components. I thought about it and would say what if action tiles and contracts were just cards you needed to sort and shuffle then would the same complaints of sorting tiles go away. It's the same thing regardless if tiles or cards. What's wrong sorting silver, gold and purple contract tiles compared to silver, gold, purple back cards then removing based on player counts. Every game you need to sort components and setup so i don't see the issue (eg. All types of ark nova cards and zoo tiles). Lacerda or heavy euros also takes long setup and adjust for player counts where you need to remove tiles or block off spaces exactly like nucluem. For Nucluem, if everyone helps or yourself pack it sorted then theres no issue (eg. Action tiles, split out the gold silver purple contracts). As for the action tile sorting con. I agree but they could have just wrote it a different. Especially for a 4 player game they could have just said remove x number of tiles (eg. Remove 3 tiles with no dots) instead of sorting and you counting. For the make 3 piles i dont see the need to do that. Just make one messy pile or piles. Think its there to firstly make a short stack for the board and maybe show players what percentage of tiles is left before its end game trigger. 4. Experiments and Techs and Strategy - Totally agree that techs aren't exciting but they do come in good especially when unlocking level. Gwt you unlock actions but they not that exciting in theory but they help your game. Imagine if each experiment had super cool abilities then people will say one is overpowered and sours the experience. Also a base euro game usually don't introduce player powers until an experience so i like it as it is so I don't need to worry much (cept l3) of other peoples. Agree that main points come from energising and milestones plus level 3 end game bonus which might get stale and no crazy strategy to do that but that's fine for my type of enjoyment game unlike say Brass I feel defeated straight in if I'm going against a pro who knows which buildings best to build. I'm kindof treating Nucluem as a perfect middle ground for myself as I've past the heavy euro stage but I totally understand it's not for others. 5. Contracts - Alright the big one. I agree but other players need an action tile to do that action but they've either used it or used as a train tile and also depends if they have grabbed other contract action tiles. The silver ones yes goes fast but the gold gets harder. In Nucluem there is a good chance you doing a mix of most things (and those building ones don't need to be energize) so you might be close to completing one so you grab it and get atleast a board bonus. Yes players can get a big boost up but so can you. All euro games with contracts have the same problem but i feel this one is mitigated also that might not be in their best interest to do it cause they really need to do something else and you can't complete contracts if you lay a tile. i see your point but it didnt bother us as much as we thought. As for setup cards well they for variability and player counts so don't see a problem else if it was block this specific space for a 2 player game then they is no variability and a strategy would develop just based on that for all games. Anyways sorry for the long post! Nucluem to me is great cause I feel I can remember the rules like network and energize (the player aids included are great) even after couple months. It's quite straight forward actions and it is thinky fun but not too much. Brass I can't remember the bloody network rules. If I want to expand replayability or strategies then will look into expansions current or future. The base game is a solid blueprint for more maps and stuff like Concordia.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Wow that was a long read but thanks! 📖👍

[@mikaelhansson9613]

Your first description, that you are using different kinds of power sources and provide power to different regions that you must connect, doesn't make me think of Brass or Barrage at all. It sounded like you were describing Power Grid!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Also not a game I want to be reminded of 😅

[@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls]

Barrage jabs aside, great review Luke! And I see Pret-A-Porter has left your shelf. Good choice. Thx!

[@jsbach1750]

Womp womp... I got it based on the implicit recommendation I perceived as it being part of the background. I opened it up and was befuddled by the extra Kickstarter components so I promptly packed it up in favor of playing Wingspan. I couldn't set it up and teach it on the fly 😡

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's on the cull pile but hasn't left yet.

[@a-c-m]

Would be good to understand why exactly you hate Brass & Barrage that much. I was trying to find an old review from you about those games but couldn’t find one. Can you point me in the right direction / post a link ? Would be good to understand it in more detail rather than just high level jibes.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You're not the only one who's asked. I did do a Brass review a while back which you should be able to find. I gave it a 6/10 but that was mean being 100% objective to the game rather than my dislike for it. Maybe I'll do a quick segment on the podcast to emphasise my issues.

[@a-c-m]

That would be awesome if you can do a refresher on that. On Brass: I can see the issue with the dependency on the right location/industry cards but that can easily be mitigated by a scout action. Nothing compared to luck of the draw at Ark Nova, a game which you adore. On Barrage: yes, it can be a mean game when someone builds a dam just in front of you when you just spent many rounds building a dam, conductor and power plant which then all become useless. But you can plan around that and there is very little luck in the game. I can see that many don’t like the meanness in the game but that is a subjective aspect. Objectively, the game has an excellent game design, many innovative mechanics and the implementation of the theme is one of the strongest of all Euros. Hence I struggle how someone can objectively rate those games lower than a 7/10, even if you see those points as big issues.

[@zero-il9on]

I love Barrage and I hate Brass (way overrated). Thanks for the review, I bought this one and still waiting to get it, you´re making have second thoughts LOL... Once I get it, I can compare your information with my experience, awesome video, as always!

[@garylangford6755]

@zero-il9on love barrage hate brass too! did you end up liking this game?

[@krisztofertar5570]

Thanks for the detailed review! I think, i will buy Brass instead of Nucleum. Do you plan to make review of Earthborne rangers?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yes it's on the agenda, just so many games.

[@grepbeer]

honestly i would buy bothj. brass is great but for me nucleum has replaced it. it has a string barrage influence and is more forgiving in network developement than brass which to me is an improvement

[@johnpanagos5835]

I am colorblind, easy pass. Thank you Luke

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You're welcome!

[@bonescollector5367]

Thank you for the detailed review Luke. We just don't want to work that hard to play a board game , but we don't like Brass or Barrage. We do love Via Nebula though!❤😂

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Doubt this will appeal to you then 😉

[@vrapan]

@@TheBrokenMeeple do you have a review of Brass, just wanted to get your reasons of dislking it, and does your opinion of Brass apply to both Birmingham and Lancashire ( I slightly prefer the latter to the former but I own both and love them both)

[@frankndice]

Barrage is one of my most hated as well. I tried to like it but every time we played it I needed a Tylenol after. Everyone else enjoyed I thought it could go kick rocks. This looks like barrages cousin

[@kruzhalovv]

Ha-ha. That's what I thought. Quite the opposite for me. I'm a fan of Brass (Lancashire) and I do somewhat enjoy Barrage. This one is a miss for me, the parts taken from 2 predecessors are not the ones that did those games great. In the end, for me, it is a pile of mechanisms thrown together for the sole purpose of having a broad tactical field. I even could describe it as a game for players who don't enjoy B&B and want a more tactical and solitary (or better"not really depending on others") experience with the familiar set of mechanisms and traits.

[@yrusomad6]

that was my impression from watching other reviews, so an easy avoid as David is anyway.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Weirdly the stuff taken from those two is what makes this game a bit better for me! :P It leaves behind the stuff I hate about those two games for the most part!

[@harleygrattan2851]

Hey Luke, I hear you drive a fancy car like mine with the same colour, Paul G told me

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I wouldn't say fancy, suzuki swift sport, but it's an awesome champion yellow colour 😁

[@harleygrattan2851]

Exactly what have, cheers 🍻

[@TheMiguel42]

Was the use of ‘Wailway’ a joke from a previous video that I missed?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

No that's just my speech impediment issues :P

[@TheMiguel42]

@@TheBrokenMeeple oh sorry man. You got it right a couple of times and the rest of your R’s seemed fine so I wrongly assumed it was not an impediment.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@TheMiguel42 it's complicated. I had a speech problem when I was younger, I conquered it thanks to great primary teachers allowing me to succeed well enough academically but some of my pronunciations do slip through by force of habit.

[@victorybhg]

why are games getting bigger and bigger on the table, what do the developers think we have massive 5k gaming tables. Seems like they are restricting who can play their games. Also why are they pumping out games without adequate development and fixing the issues in expansions, developers bake your games a bit more and make them smaller so more people can enjoy them

[@guddefulgaming]

While i initially wasnt really on board with this game, but after a few games played i warmed up to it and i couldnt disagree more with most things you said. But if you dont like brass, its no surprise this isnt up your alley either. Brass is definetly the cleaner, more streamlined game and has still a very different feel. I liked Nucleum for its complexity, its varying strategies and the asymmetry. Yes it might look minor, but you soon will realize that they are indeed super impactful, interesting and strategy defining. Tldr; dont agree with most negatives here, but thats opinions ^^ If you are on the fence, try it on TTS and decide for yourself.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You say "not up my alley" but I still gave it a 7! :P Also which specific negatives? I would say you have to at least agree that as much as you say "varying strategies" , it's a pretty one note affair of "do what the milestones says" or lose.

[@knalnl6340]

Yes im trying to learn the rules but i havent finnished setup yet after 3 try's

[@Agent_Pendergast]

Curious about the house rule that was mentioned in regards to doubling the contracts available since this is one of the game end triggers. It seems by doing this it will always guarantee that this will be one of the triggers and thus negatively alter the game length design.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

That's a fair point, perhaps it could be argued that you include two extra contracts in each stack in setup if they are available? If not, then perhaps change it to "quantity remaining" rather than "stacks depleted" - there's definitely an easy workaround.

[@gforud]

I hate Barage, love Brass tho. But I like this one, not the best, but enjoyed a lot.

[@coogs1567]

Would anyone say this is better than Autobahn? Cause I see some similarities and not sure this would be close enough to compare and replace that game. I think @theBrokenMeeple gave it good reviews too so I'm considering between the two.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Nucleum is less fiddly to play overall.

[@coogs1567]

@@TheBrokenMeeple less fiddly is definitely a bonus. Thanks.

[@Puzzu]

Nice review! Seems like a good game to try but doesn’t look like a must buy to me and I don’t like Brass at all. I actually would rather stick with my copy of Barrage which I don’t even get to play very often 😢 I also still need to get Tiletum out of shrink 😅

[@michaelmueller260]

As one who also thinks Brass and Barrage are straight up awful and should be burned in the cleansing flames of justice, you've actually convinced me to give this one a look. Cheers!

[@joaoantunes6858]

I bet you like Ark Nova and Wingspan 😂

[@michaelmueller260]

@@joaoantunes6858 I do like Ark Nova. Wingspan is just okay

[@grepbeer]

I just went back and watched your lacerta solo video which was awesome. but i do find it inconsistent that you comment about the cards in lacerta game being one of your favorite mechanics and here you are put off by the contracts which essentially are cards to me. Also, I think if you play it more you will realize that there are many more ways to get stars that meet the eye (even one of the technologies is geared toward it). Also, again having freshly watched the Lacerta solo video, you are very positive on most of the games (as am I) but complained about table space here. Nucleum as it appears to me, seems pretty close to the table space I use with my Lacerta games. And the interaction with other players, while not as contested as barrage or Lacerta games, is pretty much like brass as you fight for consumable coal , networks and real estate. Granted I am a huge brass and barrage fan and that's why I am so fond of this game and defend it. I do think and hope you play it more to maybe familiarize yourself more with it as it does have a lot of niches that get overlooked.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's not just "cards" it's how the cards function. I don't think any Lacerda game features "contracts" like Nucleum does. And no, I ain't getting paid to play Barrage or Brass again.

[@grepbeer]

ahh yeah the contracts. they are different for sure. some seem a bit unbalanced for sure. Loved your stonemaier reference too btw lol

[@zorbageekman2761]

I am getting so sick of these heavy euro games just adding randomness to the game. It really bugs me, that this seems to be something that can often be fixed by some minor changes. I hate this flip a tile or card and "oh it perfectly falls into what I was doing so I get a huge boost"

[@-DoubleLayer-]

Hi! We Made a gameplay of it, the game is ok but in 2 player is so long and to much large!

[@matt7912-j9p]

You don't like a heavy Euro? What a shocker. This game is brilliantly designed and balanced.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Errr did you watch the video (or any others) and look behind my head? Lacerdas and Hegemony in shot, Mindclash games downstairs and more heavy games besides that I've talked about and rated highly. Also the game got a 7 out of 10 and an endorsement from me. If you're just trolling, I'd do it better 😏

[@TheSludgeMan]

Agree about the graphic design. Looks ugly as hell and isn't colour blind inclusive. Hard pass. Board & Dice are consistently failing colour blind players and just don't seem to care. The dice colours in Tiletum are a nightmare.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah B&D is not the best at aesthetics it has to be said. But then when you're working with beige "seen it all before" themed Euro's you can only do so much.

[@GreySectoid]

People with no hands can't throw dice, very bad not inclusive not buy :(((

[@stacie_everdell]

Sorry, I can't get past the aesthetics, in both the board and the cover.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's not a looker.

[@torelaursen4139]

Nucleum is another game in the mediocre field of recent modern euros. I think that the contracts, technologies and endgame multipliers are weak and the game would be better without it. It is also disapointing that the ressources is not shared and that you can not flip multiple buildings in one action. In short, it is not Brass and it doesn't really live in the same ballpark as Brass, which is board game royalty. It is also not as good as Barrage. My prediction is that Nucleum will come and go, and not really leave a mark. By this time next year nobody is talking about it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I think it will still have its fans. Though I would rather play the odd game of Nucleum then touch Brass (overated royalty :P) or Barrage ever again.

[@torelaursen4139]

If I am not mistaken you are also more into the more modern euro type of games, where it is mostly heads down multiplayer solitaire puzzling. Nucleum is definetly a modern mps euro with it's bonuses and combos all around (bells and whistles). Compared to the OG euro, distilled down nature of Brass. I could see an ok game in there, but I would have to take away a whole lot for it to work. Throw away the "technologies", the contracts and the end game scoring milestones. Make the ressources shared and focus the game around the action tiles which is the games biggest strength. And remove the limit of only energizing one building in a turn.

[@zlobniyrustam]

😂